Monthly Archives: December 2015

There are lots of great reasons to use a virtual receptionist service. If you run your own business then the support and backup that a virtual receptionist service can offer is substantial, acting as a safety net just when you need it most. Being your own boss certainly has its appeal: to not be answerable to anyone, to manage your own time and reap your efforts directly, but what about when you want to take a break; you work hard, don’t you deserve a holiday?

To many business owners a holiday is unimaginable, the loss of sales and the lack of response to customer enquiries simply isn’t worth the risk, stress, or loss of earnings. If you use a virtual receptionist service to support you and your business, this is the exact point when the service can really prove its worth.

Think of it like having a fully trained workforce waiting in the wings, all you need to do is give a little instruction on how you’d like things handled while you are away. While you’re away let your virtual receptionist service take a more dominant role, they can answer all your calls and ensure that your high customer service is being maintained. There is no need for your customers to reach an answering machine, or receive an automated out of office response, there is no need for you to risk losing the great customer service reputation you have worked so hard to build. Many virtual receptionist services can even process customer orders through your own website or business software, book in appointments and take payments for you. Importantly they can keep you informed by text or email every step of the way so that you can enjoy your holiday while still feeling in the loop. This helping hand can also offer you a safety net during busy periods, ensuring you never miss a potential sale.

For more information on how our virtual receptionists can support your business call us on 01273 741400 or visit our website.

An interesting article in The Guardian reported that a record 13.9% of people working in the UK now work from home – and almost two thirds of these people are self employed.

Working from home has its obvious advantages such as eliminating commuting time, offering flexibility with your working hours, less distractions and the freedom to set up your office space wherever you choose. Perhaps you’ve converted the garage, or perhaps you work best at the kitchen table or on the sofa. However cosy or informal you choose to make your working space, you don’t have to lose the professional appearance and reassurance that an office location and landline number will offer your customers.

Have you considered how powerful a virtual number and a virtual address could be for you as a self-employed home worker?

A virtual address and/or a virtual number can help you to create the right business image on both your website and your business cards. It can help you to appear a professional, serious and successful contender within your field.

The power of the internet means that any potential customer can search the address you put on your business cards – do you really want your business to be based from a quiet cul-de-sac in an suburban area, or would a business centre within the city offer a far better first impression? It also protects your home details and offers you a little privacy; a virtual address simply places your business somewhere other than your front room. If you are local to the virtual address you can collect your post yourself, or alternatively for a small additional cost post can be forwarded directly to your home address.

Have you considered that having only a mobile number on your business cards may be damaging your chances with potential customers? A mobile number gives the impression that you do not work from a fixed location and that you also work alone, both of these things may make a customer feel uncomfortable choosing you. A virtual number is a landline number that you can use on your website and your business cards which instantly makes your business look more credible. Landline numbers are trusted and your potential customers may be reluctant to call a mobile number for fear of escalating call charges. Any calls made to your virtual number can seamlessly be forwarded to your mobile without the caller being aware.

Both a virtual number and a virtual address can help you to maintain a professional and reliable front to your business while you continue to work from the comfort of your home!

With CSnotepad our virtual address in Brighton starts from £210 a year – find out more here. For information on the geographic virtual numbers we can provide, please click here.